FUSION BOTANICAL will be back at the Botanic Gardens this October with its biggest line-up ever. Photo: Visit Wagga
Wagga’s multicultural festival, FUSION BOTANICAL, has landed its biggest musical line-up ever, headlined by ARIA award-winning First Nations musician Emily Wurramara.
The festival has become a staple of the Wagga Wagga calendar, attracting more than 8000 people to the Botanic Gardens every year, with 2025 looking to be even bigger.
Emily Wurramara shot to stardom in 2024, nabbing the Best Adult Contemporary Album ARIA award for her record, Nara.
With two studio albums under her belt, Emily has amassed more than 30 million streams on Spotify, making her one of Australia’s fastest-growing artists.
Joining her on Saturday 18 October will be several other acts, including RB musicians Owelu Dreamhouse, DJ Munasib, vocalist and performer IJALE, South Asian arts group Bindi Bosses and oral storyteller Kiran Shah.
Wagga Wagga City Council’s Community director Janice Summerhayes said these unique Australian artists would bring an eclectic mix of beats and genres to the Brolga Pond Stage.
“FUSION BOTANICAL has grown to be one of the city’s biggest outdoor events, with thousands of residents and visitors from across the Riverina region and beyond soaking up sights, scents and sounds from around the world,” Ms Summerhayes said.
“We’ve curated an exciting and eclectic line-up with some of the country’s most creative and talented artists.
“Along with the headline and support acts, the festival will feature a mix of other entertainment on offer, including our amazing local community performers.”
Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga CEO Belinda Crain said she was expecting more than 10,000 people to pass through the Botanic Gardens during the festival, making it the biggest single-day event run by council this year.
“You will want to arrive hungry at FUSION BOTANICAL multicultural festival, with more than 20 traditional street food and drink vendors operating in the much-loved World Food Village,” she said.
“Try authentic street food, soak up the festival atmosphere and dance to upbeat, culturally diverse live music and DJ sets.”
Wagga Council received $125,000 through a Stronger Together Local Council Major Festival grant, courtesy of Multicultural NSW.
The one-off grant has funded increased event traffic control management, national headline and support acts and developed a multicultural media promotional campaign for this year’s festival.
As part of the funding, council is also expecting an extra 100 parking spaces to be made available at the bottom of the gardens on MacLeay Street.
FUSION BOTANICAL multicultural festival is a free event and will run from 4 pm to 9 pm on Saturday, 18 October.
